Cover assembly for structural joints

ABSTRACT

A low cost cover assembly for structural joints is provided having base structure adapted to be mounted on one structural section and serving as an anchor for an overlying joint cover plate. Unique connector components are provided on the face and cover, respectively, permitting easy press fit installation of the cover in conforming relationship to the structural sections even though there may be slight elevational and spacing irregularities therebetween. The components and cover plate are capable of flexing as necessary to insure a tight fit of the cover over the joint regardless of the direction of subsequent relative movement of the structural sections. The connector components of the base structure include an integral outwardly facing channel which slidably receives a number of yieldable, spring metal, U-shaped clips which are held in position within the channel by I-shaped retainers. An elongated, continuous, longitudinally serrated connection tongue projecting from the inner face of the cover plate is adapted to be received in and held by the clips so that adequate tension is maintained on the cover plate to bias the latter toward the structural sections.

United States Patent Thom Feb. 11, 1975 COVER ASSEMBLY FOR STRUCTURALJOINTS [57] ABSTRACT Inventor: welllel Thom, ch a, Kan A low cost coverassembly for structural joints is pro- [73] Assigneez Archiectural A"Mfg" Inc" vided having base structure adapted to be mounted on Wichita,Kans one structural section and servmg as an anchor for an overlyingjoint cover plate. Unique connector compo- Filedi g- I973 nents areprovided on the face and cover, respectively,

[21] AppL No 387,708 permitting easy press fit installation of the coverin conforming relationship to the structural sections even though theremay be slight elevational and spacing irl Cl /4 52/396 regularitiestherebetween. The components and cover [51] Int. Cl E04b l/68 l t arecapable of flexing as necessary to insure a l Field f Search tight fitof the cover over the joint regardless of the /79, 80; 404/56, 58direction of subsequent relative movement of the structural sections.The connector components of the [56] References Cited base structureinclude an integral outwardly facing UNITED STATES PATENTS channel whichslidably receives a number of yieldable,

3,170,268 2/1965 Balzer et al 52/466 x Spring meta" U'ShaPed Clips whichare held in PosltlO" 3,183,626 5/l965 Schmmm within the channel byl-shaped retainers. An elon- 3 5139|5 7/1970 Gotshal] gated, continuous,longitudinally serrated connection 3,659,390 5/l972 Balzer etal 52/396 Xtongue projecting from the inner face of the cover plate is adapted tobe received in and held by the clips so that adequate tension ismaintained on the cover plate to bias the latter toward the structuralsections.

Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Ill/I/I/I/III I ll/llllllllllf'fa PATENTEBFEB! 1 I975 SHEET 10F 3 1 COVER ASSEMBLY FOR STRUCTURAL JOINTSBACKGROUND This invention relates to a cover assembly for use incovering the joint defined by elongated, adjacent, spaced, shiftablestructural sections. More particularly, it is concerned with'such anassembly that is capable of maintaining an effective covering functionduring all normal relative shifting movements of the structuralsections, and may be manufactured 'at relatively low cost and easilyinstalled in the field.

In the art, cover assemblies which are adapted to maintain theircomplemental engagement with the underlying structural sections definingan expansion joint during coplanar as well as transverse relativemovements of the structural sections are commonly referred to asfour-way joint covers. These typically have included relativelyexpensive components such as leaf and coil springs in order to provide acontinuously applied biasto the cover plate associated therewith incovering relationship to the joint. For example, one such prior deviceemploys a covering plate having a series of centrally positioned, spaceddepending studs. A leaf spring is slidably journaled on each stud andextends into engagement with separate connection structure attached toeach of the laterally spaced structural sections. Additionally, a coilspring is positioned about the stud below the leaf spring in order toinsure that the cover plate is operatively biased to shift and tilt inunison with the structural sections therebelow.

Thus, four-way cover assemblies heretofore provided have been expensiveto manufacture and tedious and time-consuming to install. For example,in the assembly described above, it is necessary to include threadedanchoring structure in the respective structural members duringmanufacture of the latter, this being required so that the connectioncomponents of the cover assembly may be securely affixed thereto. Theprovision of such anchoring structure extending from the structuralmembers also makes it necessary to carefully handle and mount the latterso that the outwardly extending bolts do not become bent or broken, andthus, inoperative. Moreover, by virtue of the complexity of suchdevices, it has heretofore been necessary to make certain that skilledworkers properly install the assemblies in the field.

Hence, there is a need in the art for a structural joint cover assemblywhich is fabricated from relatively inexpensive components, is capableof maintaining a complemental covering function under all normalmovements of underlying structural sections, and can quickly beinstalled in the field by personnel with ordinary skills.

SUMMARY Accordingly, it has been found that a cover assembly exhibitingthe characteristics outlined above can be produced by provision of abase structure designed to be fixedly secured to at least one of thestructural sections or members presenting the joint and having anelongated channel or track defined by spaced, upstanding sidewalls.Yieldable connector means of lesser transverse dimensions than thechannel are seated therewithin and are shiftably and tiltably retainedtherein by means of separate retainer structure. A cover is disposedabove the base structure and joint and includes an elongated connectiontongue extending from the inner face thereof. The cover is tensionablymaintained in complemental covering disposition over the joint by theunique connector means covered by the base structure.

As the adjacent structural sections shift and move with respect to oneanother, the orientation of the cover plate relative to the basestructure is altered accordingly, and the forces developed thereby are,in turn, harmlessly transmitted to the yieldable spring clip connectormeans. The latter are capable of shifting, tilting or deflecting withinthe channel therefor, and, hence, these components safely absorbpotentially damaging forces. In this manner, the assembly is not pronetobuckling or breaking during relative shifting of the structural members,but rather it shifts and tilts in unison therewith in order to providethe desired complemental covering function.

In particular, the device preferably comprises an elongated, generallyflat base structure configured to be secured to one of the structuralsections by means of conventional fasteners such as externally serratedexpansible nails. The base structure includes an elongated, continuouschannel portion adapted to be disposed in substantially parallelrelationship to the joint and defined bya pair of laterally spaced,elongated, integral, upstanding walls having a continuous, inwardlyextending lip along the top thereof. Retainer means are removably andsidably positioned in the channel and include a series of separate,integral clip members composed of spring metal, each having a transversebight segment which seats within the described channel structure and isof lesser transverse dimensions than the latter. These members alsoinclude upstanding sidewalls along the distal longitudinal edges of thebight segment, and each sidewall is further provided with an inwardlyextending, downwardly inclined portion which cooperatively define anelongated connection slot therebetween.

A plurality of such clip members are positioned within the channelstructure at spaced intervals and are each retained therein by agenerally I-shaped retainer preferably fabricated from aluminum stock.The relatively narrow, elongated body portion of the retainer is adaptedto be inserted within a corresponding spring clip member with the distalear portions of the retainer being dimensioned to fit beneath theseparate opposed lip portions of the channel portion. in this fashion,the respective spring clips are retained against removal within thechannel, but can shift and tilt as required to absorb the forcesdeveloped by relative movement of the structural sections.

In one embodiment, the cover means comprises an integral plate which isadapted to cover both the base structure and joint. The plate isprovided with a longitudinally serrated connection tongue extending fromits inner face and positioned to interlock with the separate, spacedspring clips retained within the channel as described. The plate alsoincludes integral longitudinal support structure along the respectivelongitudinal edges thereof which slidably engage the underlyingstructural sections to provide additional support and scaling for theplate.

In another preferred embodiment, separate, elongated base structures arefixedly secured to each structural section adjacent the joint, each basehaving parallel channel-defining portions as previously described, inconjunction with a series of spaced spring clip connector meanstherealong. A separate cover plate is then snapped into place over eachof the base structures in conjunction with a separate joint-coveringplate operatively positioned and maintained between the separate coverplates in order to shift and tilt in unison therewith. In all of theaforementioned embodiments, it is also possible to cover a corner orwall-to-ceiling expansion joint by merely providing a generally L-shapedcover means which is identical in all other respects to the generallyflat cover plates described.

During installation of the assemblies, the worker first secures the basestructure to the structural members as required with the spring clipsand associated retainers positioned therealong at spaced intervals.Installation is completed simply by placing the cover plate over thebase structure and joint with the internal, serrated connection tongueproximal to the slotted spring clips. The worker then press fits theplate into place by forcibly inserting the connection tongue within thespring clips along the length of the joint, as by hammering with anon-damaging tool such as a rubber or plastic headed hammer. In thismanner, the downwardly sloping portions of the sidewalls of therespective clips thus engage the upwardly tilted shoulders of theconnection tongue serrations, thereby insuring a tensioned holding ofthe plate in its proper covering disposition. Moreover, because of theyieldable nature of the connector clips, any tilting or shifting thereofrequired to compensate for previously misaligned structural members isautomatically accomplished by the forcible insertion of the connectiontongue therewithin. Hence, the cover assemblies disclosed herein arecapable of automatically conforming upon installation to the relativepositions of the adjacent structural members thereunder.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a cover assembly inaccordance with the invention, partially cut away to show the base andchannel structure of the assembly with yieldable spring clips retainedwithin the channel;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly taken along line 22of FIG. 1 showing the normal relative position of the structuralsections to be covered and defining a joint therebetween;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are vertical sectional views similar to FIG. 2, showingthe compensatory shifting and tilting action of the spring clips causedby relative shifting of the structural members;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of an assembly in accordance withthe invention adapted for use in covering a corner joint or the like;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views similar to that of FIG. 5,showing the manner in which the corner joint cover assembly compensatesfor two other types of relative shifting of the structural sections;

FIG. 8 is an oblique, vertical sectional view of another embodiment ofthe present invention wherein identical base structures are secured toeach of the structural sections adjacent the joint defined thereby, witha separate joint plate located between the base structures;

FIG. 9 is an oblique, vertical sectional view of a corner joint coverassembly similar to that shown in FIG. 8, with a generally L-shapedjoint plate engaging the respective base structures;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the preferred spring clip connectormeans for use with the present invention, with a generally I-shapedretainer element inserted within the spring clip prior to installationalong the channel of a base structure.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the retainer element shownperspectively in FIG. 10, and showing the preferred longitudinal bowformed in the element; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the spring clip as shown in FIG. 10,prior to insertion of the retainer element therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One type ofjoint cover assembly as contemplated bythe present invention is shown in plan in FIG. 1 and generallydesignated by the numeral 20. It includes elongated, generally flat,plate-like base structure 22 constructed in a manner for mounting onelongated, structural section or member 24. The latter and the adjacentstructural member 26 cooperatively define an expansion joint 28therebetween which is necessary to accommodate the relative shifting ofmembers 24 and 26 due to thermal expansion and contraction or the like.

The assembly shown is particularly adapted for use in covering wall orceiling joints, but the assembly can be modified for floor use withoutdifficulty, primarily by simply making the component of slightly heaviermaterial than shown.

Integral base structure 22 includes an elongated, relatively flat planarmid-segment 32 with an elongated, apertured, upstanding ridge 34 for thereception of fas teners such as expansion nails 30 which are adapted tosecurely affix the base structure to section 24.

Adjacent to ridge 34 is a generally vertical stop wall 36 which isimportant for purposes to be made clear hereinafter. An elongated,continuous channel structure 38 is laterally spaced from stop wall 36and is in generally parallel disposition with respect to joint 28.Channel structure 38 is defined by a pair of spaced, upstandingsidewalls 40 which are integral with the overall base structure 22 andhave an inwardly extending, continuous lip 42 along top thereof.

A series of spaced spring clip connector means 44 are positioned withinchannel structure 38 and are of lesser transverse dimensions than thedistance defined by the opposed, inwardly extending lips 42. springclips 44 are preferably composed of spring steel and as best shown inFIG. 12, they each include a transverse bight portion 46 with a pair ofintegral, elongated upstanding sidewalls 48. Each adjacent sidewall 48is also provided with an inwardly extending, downwardly sloping segment50 which cooperatively define a slot 52 centrally disposed between thesidewalls 48.

Each of the spaced clips 44 are shiftably and tiltably retained withinthe channel structure 38 by means of a generally I-shaped retainerelement 54. Referring specifically to FIG. 10, the element 54 comprisesan integral member having an elongated, relatively narrow body segment56 which is adapted to be inserted within clip 44 by slipping thesegment 56 through slot 52 provided in the latter. Integral, relativelywider eared portions 58 provided at opposed distal ends of the bodysegment 56 are adapted to be slidingly inserted beneath the opposed lips42 of the channel structure 38 to provide the requisite hold-downfunction for the respective spring clips 44. As depicted in FIG. 11, theelement 54 preferably is fabricated of spring steel of 0.026-inchthickness and having a slight bow referred to by the numeral 60 alongthe length thereof.

During installation procedures, an element 54 is inserted within a clip44 in the manner described, with the concave face of element 54 facingdownwardly. The associated components are then slidably inserted withinchannel structure 38 and shifted into a desired operative position. Forthis purpose, it has been found advantageous to dimension the earedportions 58 of retainer element 54 to facilitate such sliding insertionand positioning. As will be more fully explained below, a somewhatloose-fitting, slidable, arrangement of these components does notdetract from the overall integrity of the cover assembly, and, in fact,can enhance the ultimate fastened integrity of the cover plate.

After the spring clips 44 have been positioned within the channelstructure 38 as described, a cover plate 62 is positioned thereover andsnapped into its final operative position. Plate 62 is preferablycomposed of extruded aluminum material and includes an integral,elongated connection tongue 64 extending fromthe inner face thereof andpositioned to interlock with the respective spring clips 44. For thispurpose, tongue 64 is provided with a series of elongated, continuous,spaced, upwardly inclined serrations 66. As can be appreciated from astudy of FIGS. 2-4, these serrations are adapted to interengage with therespective slotdefining segments 50 of the spring clips 44. In thismanner, plate 62 can be initially positioned in covering relationship tobase structure 22 and joint 28 with tongue 64 proximal to the'elongatedslots 52 in each of the spring clips 44. Attachment of plate 62 iscompleted by forcing tongue 64 into connective interengagement with eachof the clips 44. This can be accomplished most easily by holding theplate in the position described and forcing the latter into itscompleted, locked position.

It is to be understood that by virtue of the slight flexibility of cover62 and the yieldable nature of the spring clips 44, misalignedstructural members can be complementally covered without difficulty.That is, as the connection tongue 64 is forced into its operativeposition,

the inwardly extending, downwardly inclined portions 50 of spring clips44 can engage different levels of the upwardly disposed serrations 66 onthe respective sides of the tongue. In this manner the clips 44 shift ortilt as necessary to compensate for previous misalignment of theadjacent structural members. Hence, the cover assemblies automaticallyalign themselves in conformity to the configuration of the underlyingstructural sections by the expedient of simply forcing the cover towardthe joint throughout its length with force applied therealong beingsufficient to cause the cover to complementally engage the structuralsections regardless of their relative positions.

Elongated, integral, continuous support structure 68 is provided alongthe distal longitudinal edges of plate 62 and is adapted to slidinglyengage with each of the respective structural sections 24 and 26. Forthis purpose, a resilient pad member 70 is interposed between supportstructure 68 of plate 62 and the exterior surfaces of the structuralmembers. Pad 70 is preferably composed. of synthetic rubberlike materialand has a relatively stiff upper flange 72 which is adapted to beslidably inserted within complementary slot structure provided alongeach of the supports 68. The lower flexible portion of pad 70 isprovided with a series of elongated, continuous ribs 74 which are indirect engagement with the surfaces of structural members 24 and Asoutlined previously, the cover assemblies of the present invention arecapable of maintaining a fully complemental covering function duringvertical as well as horizontal shifting of the underlying structuralmembers. Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that during horizontalshifting of structural sections 24 and 26, the leftmost supportstructure 68 associated with plate 62 will slide along the surface ofstructural member 26, thus insuring that the joint 28 remains covered atall times. Relative sliding movement of right-hand support structure 68is effectively precluded by means of the attachment between tongue 64and spring clips 44, as well as the abutment of this stop structureagainst upstanding wall 36.

During relative vertical shifting of the adjacent structural sections,the'following is believed to occur. As

shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plate 62 is first altered from its generallyhorizontal alignment by virtue of the forces developed during suchshifting transmitted through the respective support structures 68. Suchforces, which would normally cause buckling or perhaps even breakage ofplates 62, are in turn safely and effectively transmitted to theyieldable spring clips 44. In response, the clips 44 are deflected orcan shift or tilt as necessary within channel structure 38 in order toabsorb the potentially destructive forces. Because each spring clip 44is of lesser transverse dimension than the distance between the opposedlips 42, transverse shifting is possible; moreover, because theelongated body segment 56 of retainer element 54 is of substantiallylesser width than the spring clips 44, the latter can twist and tiltabout the axis defined by elongated, relatively narrow body segment 56.Thus, the separate spring clips 44 can assume any orientation necessaryto maintain a continuing tight covering function of the assem- In thisconnection, it should be noted that longitudinal shifting of clips 44along channel structure 38 is effectively precluded after installationof plate 62. This results from the fact that when tongue 64 thereof isinserted within the clips 44, an upwardly directed biasing force isimparted to the latter. This biasing force is, in turn, transmitted tothe retainer elements 54, causing the eared portions thereof to snuglyengage the underside of the opposed lips 42. This causes a securefrictional fit of the elements 54 and thus insures that the associatedclips 44 cannot be moved a significant distance longitudinally withrespect to channel structure 38.

When it is desired to cover a corner joint 76 (FIGS. 5-7) defined bystructural sections 78 and 80 having generally perpendicular surfaceplanes, it has been found advantageous to employ an elongated generallyL-shaped cover plate 82. In this embodiment of the invention, basestructure 84 is attached to vertically extending structural member 80adjacent joint 76. Base structure 84 is identicalin all respects to thatof structure 22 and, therefore, a detailed description thereof isomitted. However, L-shaped cover plate 82 includes a relatively shortleg 86 having integral support structure 88 including pad 89 engagingstructural member 80. An integral, relatively elongated leg 90 withaccompanying identical support structure 92 is also provided and acontinuous, elongated laterally extending serrated connection tongue 94extends from leg 86 into operative interlocking relationship with thespring clips 44 received by base structure 84.

As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the L-shaped cover plate 82 is similarlymaintained in its operative covering disposition during all normalhorizontal and vertical shifting of the structural members 78 and 80. Ingeneral, this is accomplished in a manner identical to that describedabove in that the spring clips 44 serve to absorb the displacementforces transmitted to the cover plate during relative movements of thestructural members.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,separate identical base structures 96 are secured to each of theadjacent structural sections along the length of the joint definedthereby. Each base structure 96 includes a pair of longitudinally ribbedpads 98 identical to the pads 70 inserted within complementary slotstructure provided along the bottom face of base structure 96. Thelatter is provided with a series of apertures along the length of thestructure between the laterally spaced pads 98 which are adapted toreceive externally serrated expandable fasteners 30 which securely mountthe base structure to the respective structural sections. In thismanner, the longitudinal ribs in pads 98 are in direct engagement withthe surface of the structural members and are compressed somewhat toinsure a tight sealing therebetween. At the end of the base structures96 removed from joint 100 there is provided an elongated, continuouschannel structure 102 which is likewise identical in all respects tochannel structure 38 described previously, and is adapted to receive aspaced series of spring clips 44 and related componets employed in thepresent invention. A ledge 104 forms the outermost,

upstanding edge of the base structure 96, and is adapted to abuttablyengage with integral depending skirt 106 of cover plate 108. Anelongated support section 110 vertically spaced from the underlyingstructural section is provided along the length of base structure 96adjacent joint 100, and is provided with an upwardly facing ribbed pad112 identical to pads 70 and 98.

Each of the described base structures 96 is covered by a separate plate108. The latter are connected to the respective base structures by meansof a serrated tongue 114 extending from the inner surface thereof intolocking engagement with the spaced spring clips 44. A depending skirt106 is provided along the longitudinal edge of plates 108 removed fromjoint 100 which is adapted to abut ledge 104 of the underlying basestructure 96 to thereby preclude relative sliding movement of coverplate 108. Thus, each base structure 96 and associated cover plate 108are in effect a unit which moves in unison with the structural member towhich they are connected.

The required four-way flexibility of this assembly is achieved by meansof a separate joint covering plate 116 which is slidably gripped by therespective upwardly facing pads 112 associated with support structures110 and the proximal, angularly depending ledges 120 of the plates 108.An inclined stop ledge 118 is also provided along the distallongitudinal edges of plate 116 and serves to limit horizontal movementof the respective base structures 96 with respect to plate 116.

Hence, during horizontal movements of the underlying structural members,plate 116 remains essentially stationary, while the units defined by therespective base structures 96 and cover plates 108 move in a horizontaldirection relatively. During vertical or angular shifting of thestructural members, the orientation of plate 116 is first altered inresponse thereto. The twisting or buckling forces transmitted to plate116 are, in turn, transmitted to the respective plates 108 which causethe spring clips interconnected therewith to deflect, twist or shift asrequired in order to maintain the integrity of the overall assembly.Thus, as with the embodiment discussed above, an assembly is providedwhich is capable of maintaining a tensioned covering of a structuraljoint during all normal movements of the respective structural members.

Referring now to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the present embodiment canalso be adapted to cover a joint 122 defined by generally perpendicularstructural members 126 and 128. Base structure 96 identical to thatdiscussed is secured to member 126, with a cover plate 108 securedthereover. A modified base structure 196 is affixed to member 128, theformer differing from base structure 96 only in the vertical spacing ofthe support section 210 from the underlying structural member and theconfiguration of cover 208.

In particular, support section 210 is relatively closer to member 128than is corresponding section of base structure 96 from member 126.Additionally, cover 208 has an elongated depending leg 220 which isadapted to engage the outer face of joint-covering plate 124. Byprovision of such a modified base structure 196, sufficient spaceresults between the perpendicularly aligned base structures to permitcoverage of joint 122 during all normal expansion and contraction ofmembers 126 and 128. If it were attempted to employ identical basestructures 96 in this instance, too little spacing therebetween wouldresult, thereby severely limiting the relative sliding movements thereofalong the plate 124. This, of course, would diminish the effectivenessof the overall cover assembly.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

1. An assembly for complementally covering the open joint defined by apair of elongated, spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structuralmembers comprisbase structure adapted to be fixedly secured to one ofsaid structural members and presenting a section having an elongated,continuous channel substantially parallel to said joint and defined by apair of spaced, substantially parallel, upstanding sidewalls, each ofthe latter being provided with an elongated, continuous, integral,inwardly extending lip along the top thereof;

yieldable connector means comprising a plurality of yieldable metallicspring clips positioned within said channel and spaced along the lengththereof, said clips being of lesser transverse dimensions than thedistance between said lips;

means for retaining said springs clips within said channel andpermitting limited shifting and tilting therein by the spring clips;

cover means disposed in covering relationship to said spring clips andjoint and having connection structure attached to the inner face thereofand extend- 9 ing therefrom into secure interlocking relationship withthe underlying springs clips; and

support structure adapted to engage the other of said structural membersfor supporting the end of said cover means remote from said basestructure.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said spring clips is anintegral body of spring steel having a transverse bight portion engagingthe transverse portion of said channel, and a pair of spaced, upstandingsidewalls each having an inwardly extending, downwardly sloping portionalong the length-thereof cooperatively defining an elongated slottherebetween.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said retainer means for each of saidspring clips comprises an integral locking member of spring steel havinga relatively narrow body portion of a length at least as long as saidspring clip and dimensioned to be inserted between the upstandingsidewalls of the latter, and ear portions on the distal ends of saidbody portion operable to be slidably inserted within said channel andunder the opposed, inwardly extending lips of the latter.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said locking members are bowed alongthe length thereof with the concave faces of the bows facing thetransverse portion of the channel.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said locking members are composed ofspring steel of approximately 0.026 inches thickness.

6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein connection means comprise anintegral, elongated, connection tongue extending from said cover means.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said tongue is provided with aseries of elongated, spaced, continuous, upwardly inclined teethalongthe opposed faces thereof, the latter being adapted to simultaneouslyinterlock with adjacent edges of the respective downwardly slopingportions of the sidewalls of said spring clips to thereby tensionablylock the cover means in said covering relationship.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said base structure is adapted to besecured to said structural member by means of externally serratedexpansion fasteners.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said covering means is an elongated,integral plate dimensioned to cover said base structure and joint, saidplate being provided with integral, elongated support structure alongthe longitudinal edges thereof adapted to slidingly engage with therespective structural members.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein an elongated, continuous strip ofresilient material is connected to each of said support structures forengaging with said respective structural members.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said strips has a seriesof integral, laterally spaced, elongated, substantially parallel finslocated to directly engage said structural members.

12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said base structure is providedwith an integral, elongated, upstanding stop wall adapted to abut theproximal support structure of said plate and thereby limit the slidingmovement thereof along the underlying structural member.

13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the surface planes of saidstructural members are substantially perpendicular to define a cornerjoint, said covering means being substantially L-shaped in cross-sectionand dimensioned to cover both the base structure and joint.

14. An assembly for complementally covering the open joint defined by apair of elongated, spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structuralmembers comprisfirst and second base structures adapted to be securelyaffixed to said structural members and each including a section having atransverse portion and defined by spaced, upstanding sidewalls;

yieldable connector means seated within each of said sections and oflesser transverse dimensions than the latter;

means for retaining said connector means within said sections andpermitting limited shifting and tilting therein by the connection means;

separate cover plates disposed in spaced covering relationship to saidfirst and second base structures, and connection structure attached tothe inner faces of said cover plates and extending into secureinterlocking relationship with the underlying connector means; and

ajoint covering plate overlying said joint and moveably engaging each ofsaid cover plates.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein each of said sections is anelongated, continuous channel defined by a pair of spaced, substantiallyparallel, upstanding sidewalls, said channels being generally parallelto the joint.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said sidewalls are each providedwith an elongated, continuous, integral, inwardly extending lip alongthe top thereof.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said connector means comprises aplurality of yieldable metallic spring clips positioned with each ofsaid channels and spaced along the length thereof, said clips being oflesser transverse dimensions than the distance between said lips.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein each of said spring clips is anintegral body of spring steel having a transverse bight portion engagingthe transverse portions of said channels, and a pair of spaced,upstanding sidewalls each having an inwardly extending, downwardlysloping portion along the length thereof cooperatively defining anelongated slot therebetween.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said retainer means for each ofsaid spring clips comprises an integral locking member of spring steelhaving a relatively narrow body portion of a length at least as long assaid spring clip and dimensioned to be inserted between the upstandingsidewalls of the latter, and ear portions on the distal ends of saidbody portion operable to be slidably inserted within said channels andunder the opposed, inwardly extending lips of the latter.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said locking members are bowedalong the length thereof with the concave faces of the bows facing thetransverse portions of the channels.

21. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said connection structurecomprises integral, elongated, connection tongues extending from theinner faces of said cover plates.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said tongues are provided with aseries of elongated, spaced, continuous, upwardly inclined teeth alongthe opposed faces thereof, the latter being adapted to simultaneouslyinterlock with adjacent edges of the respective downwardly slopingportions of the sidewalls of said spring clips to thereby tensionablylock the cover plates in said covering relationship to the underlyingbase structure.

23. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said first and second basestructures are adapted to be secured to said structural member by meansof externally serrated expansion nails.

24. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said covering means is anelongated, integral plate dimensioned to cover said base structure andjoint, said plate being provided with integral, elongated, supportstructure along the longitudinal edges thereof adapted to slidinglyengage with the respective structural members.

25. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said first and second basestructure each include upwardly facing support sections adapted toengage the inner face of said joint covering plate.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein an upwardly facing resilient padis attached to each of said support sections.

27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein said cover plates includedepending ledges along the longitudinal edge thereof proximal to saidjoint adapted to engage the outer face of said joint covering plate.

28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein said ledges and resilient pad areconfigured and positioned to cooperatively slidably grip said jointcovering plate therebetween.

29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein said joint is defined by a pair ofstructural members whose surface planes are generally perpendicularlyaligned, said support sections being positioned at relatively differentvertical distances with respect to the underlying support memberstherebelow, said joint covering plate being generally L-shaped incross-section and having stop structure along the distal longitudinaledges thereof adapted to limit the sliding of said base structures andassociated cover plates therealong.

30. An assembly for complementally covering the open joint defined by apair of elongated, spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structuralmembers and comprising:

base structure adapted to be secured to one of said members andpresenting a section defined by a pair of spaced upstanding sidewalls;connector means comprising at least one yieldable spring clip positionedwithin said section and of lesser transverse dimensions than the latter;

means for retaining said spring clip within said section and permittinglimited shifting and tilting therein by the spring clip;

cover means disposed in covering relationship to said spring clip andjoint and having connection structure attached to the inner face thereofand extending therefrom into secure interlocking relationship with theunderlying spring clip; and

support structure adapted to engage the other of said structural membersfor supporting the end of said cover means remote from said basestructure.

1. An assembly for complementally covering thE open joint defined by apair of elongated, spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structuralmembers comprising: base structure adapted to be fixedly secured to oneof said structural members and presenting a section having an elongated,continuous channel substantially parallel to said joint and defined by apair of spaced, substantially parallel, upstanding sidewalls, each ofthe latter being provided with an elongated, continuous, integral,inwardly extending lip along the top thereof; yieldable connector meanscomprising a plurality of yieldable metallic spring clips positionedwithin said channel and spaced along the length thereof, said clipsbeing of lesser transverse dimensions than the distance between saidlips; means for retaining said springs clips within said channel andpermitting limited shifting and tilting therein by the spring clips;cover means disposed in covering relationship to said spring clips andjoint and having connection structure attached to the inner face thereofand extending therefrom into secure interlocking relationship with theunderlying springs clips; and support structure adapted to engage theother of said structural members for supporting the end of said covermeans remote from said base structure.
 2. The assembly of claim 1,wherein each of said spring clips is an integral body of spring steelhaving a transverse bight portion engaging the transverse portion ofsaid channel, and a pair of spaced, upstanding sidewalls each having aninwardly extending, downwardly sloping portion along the length thereofcooperatively defining an elongated slot therebetween.
 3. The assemblyof claim 2, wherein said retainer means for each of said spring clipscomprises an integral locking member of spring steel having a relativelynarrow body portion of a length at least as long as said spring clip anddimensioned to be inserted between the upstanding sidewalls of thelatter, and ear portions on the distal ends of said body portionoperable to be slidably inserted within said channel and under theopposed, inwardly extending lips of the latter.
 4. The assembly of claim3, wherein said locking members are bowed along the length thereof withthe concave faces of the bows facing the transverse portion of thechannel.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said locking members arecomposed of spring steel of approximately 0.026 inches thickness.
 6. Theassembly of claim 2, wherein connection means comprise an integral,elongated, connection tongue extending from said cover means.
 7. Theassembly of claim 6, wherein said tongue is provided with a series ofelongated, spaced, continuous, upwardly inclined teeth along the opposedfaces thereof, the latter being adapted to simultaneously interlock withadjacent edges of the respective downwardly sloping portions of thesidewalls of said spring clips to thereby tensionably lock the covermeans in said covering relationship.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid base structure is adapted to be secured to said structural memberby means of externally serrated expansion fasteners.
 9. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said covering means is an elongated, integral platedimensioned to cover said base structure and joint, said plate beingprovided with integral, elongated support structure along thelongitudinal edges thereof adapted to slidingly engage with therespective structural members.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein anelongated, continuous strip of resilient material is connected to eachof said support structures for engaging with said respective structuralmembers.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said strips has aseries of integral, laterally spaced, elongated, substantially parallelfins located to directly engage said structural members.
 12. Theassembly of claim 9, wherein said base structure is provided with anintegral, elongated, upstanding stop wall adapted to abut the proximalsupport structure of said plate And thereby limit the sliding movementthereof along the underlying structural member.
 13. The assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the surface planes of said structural members aresubstantially perpendicular to define a corner joint, said coveringmeans being substantially L-shaped in cross-section and dimensioned tocover both the base structure and joint.
 14. An assembly forcomplementally covering the open joint defined by a pair of elongated,spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structural members comprising:first and second base structures adapted to be securely affixed to saidstructural members and each including a section having a transverseportion and defined by spaced, upstanding sidewalls; yieldable connectormeans seated within each of said sections and of lesser transversedimensions than the latter; means for retaining said connector meanswithin said sections and permitting limited shifting and tilting thereinby the connection means; separate cover plates disposed in spacedcovering relationship to said first and second base structures, andconnection structure attached to the inner faces of said cover platesand extending into secure interlocking relationship with the underlyingconnector means; and a joint covering plate overlying said joint andmoveably engaging each of said cover plates.
 15. The assembly of claim14, wherein each of said sections is an elongated, continuous channeldefined by a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, upstandingsidewalls, said channels being generally parallel to the joint.
 16. Theassembly of claim 15, wherein said sidewalls are each provided with anelongated, continuous, integral, inwardly extending lip along the topthereof.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said connector meanscomprises a plurality of yieldable metallic spring clips positioned witheach of said channels and spaced along the length thereof, said clipsbeing of lesser transverse dimensions than the distance between saidlips.
 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein each of said spring clips isan integral body of spring steel having a transverse bight portionengaging the transverse portions of said channels, and a pair of spaced,upstanding sidewalls each having an inwardly extending, downwardlysloping portion along the length thereof cooperatively defining anelongated slot therebetween.
 19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein saidretainer means for each of said spring clips comprises an integrallocking member of spring steel having a relatively narrow body portionof a length at least as long as said spring clip and dimensioned to beinserted between the upstanding sidewalls of the latter, and earportions on the distal ends of said body portion operable to be slidablyinserted within said channels and under the opposed, inwardly extendinglips of the latter.
 20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said lockingmembers are bowed along the length thereof with the concave faces of thebows facing the transverse portions of the channels.
 21. The assembly ofclaim 18, wherein said connection structure comprises integral,elongated, connection tongues extending from the inner faces of saidcover plates.
 22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said tongues areprovided with a series of elongated, spaced, continuous, upwardlyinclined teeth along the opposed faces thereof, the latter being adaptedto simultaneously interlock with adjacent edges of the respectivedownwardly sloping portions of the sidewalls of said spring clips tothereby tensionably lock the cover plates in said covering relationshipto the underlying base structure.
 23. The assembly of claim 14, whereinsaid first and second base structures are adapted to be secured to saidstructural member by means of externally serrated expansion nails. 24.The assembly of claim 14, wherein said covering means is an elongated,integral plate dimensioned to cover said base structure and joint, saidplate being provided with integral, elongatEd, support structure alongthe longitudinal edges thereof adapted to slidingly engage with therespective structural members.
 25. The assembly of claim 14, whereinsaid first and second base structure each include upwardly facingsupport sections adapted to engage the inner face of said joint coveringplate.
 26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein an upwardly facingresilient pad is attached to each of said support sections.
 27. Theassembly of claim 26, wherein said cover plates include depending ledgesalong the longitudinal edge thereof proximal to said joint adapted toengage the outer face of said joint covering plate.
 28. The assembly ofclaim 27, wherein said ledges and resilient pad are configured andpositioned to cooperatively slidably grip said joint covering platetherebetween.
 29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein said joint isdefined by a pair of structural members whose surface planes aregenerally perpendicularly aligned, said support sections beingpositioned at relatively different vertical distances with respect tothe underlying support members therebelow, said joint covering platebeing generally L-shaped in cross-section and having stop structurealong the distal longitudinal edges thereof adapted to limit the slidingof said base structures and associated cover plates therealong.
 30. Anassembly for complementally covering the open joint defined by a pair ofelongated, spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structural members andcomprising: base structure adapted to be secured to one of said membersand presenting a section defined by a pair of spaced upstandingsidewalls; connector means comprising at least one yieldable spring clippositioned within said section and of lesser transverse dimensions thanthe latter; means for retaining said spring clip within said section andpermitting limited shifting and tilting therein by the spring clip;cover means disposed in covering relationship to said spring clip andjoint and having connection structure attached to the inner face thereofand extending therefrom into secure interlocking relationship with theunderlying spring clip; and support structure adapted to engage theother of said structural members for supporting the end of said covermeans remote from said base structure.